Release # 061 {2925} April 25, 1996
DENVER (UMNS) -- Despite efforts by anti-abortion voices in the church, United Methodism's top governing body voted 399 to 497 to defeat a "rights of the unborn" addendum to its pro-choice-with-stipulations stance on abortion.
Delegates to the 1996 General Conference here also voted April 25 to continue support for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Since 1970, the church's General Conference has maintained a pro-choice stand on abortion, while opposing the its use as birth control or for gender selection. But that position also has been continuously challenged by church members who oppose abortion.
The latest attempts to "balance" the United Methodist stand came during deliberations here by 998 delegates from around the world. While the legislative committee considering abortion urged the assembly to let the current statement stand, a minority of committee members proposed the addition of a paragraph titled "Rights of the Unborn."
That paragraph read in part, "While the full rights of women must always be respected, unborn children are acknowledged to be human beings in their own right."
In supporting the minority recommendation, the Rev. Elizabeth Wright of Hampton, Va., claimed that the unborn rights statement did not conflict with the church's abortion stance. Rather, she said, it would "bring us full circle" in respecting the belief by many that life begins at conception.
Sharon Duger of Central Square, N.Y., agreed. Describing a sonogram made during her pregnancy, she said, "I saw a child sucking his thumb ... and I believe that life began when God created life."
But the argument of delegates such as Charles Pearce of DeLand, Fla., won the day. He pointed out that concern for unborn children always has been part of the church's legislation (Para. 71 in the 1992 Book of Discipline declares United Methodist belief in the "sanctity of unborn human life.")
Pearce, a father of four adopted children, urged the church to stop arguing over abortion and "pay more attention to the mother that wants to have her children," and needs support.
Delegates did approve a slight change in Para. 71.h of the Discipline. The amended portion asks the church to nurture both women who are "in the midst of a crisis pregnancy" and those who give birth," as well as caring for women who choose abortion.
The conference also denied a petition mandating that two United Methodist agencies end their affiliation with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Supporters of the coalition maintained that its programs and practices are in harmony with the church's stand on abortion.
The coalition -- and United Methodist support of it -- has come under frequent criticism for what some feel is unrestricted support of abortions.<.P>
-- M. Garlinda Burton
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